Gardeners shift gears, adapt to soggy ground

Steady rains in 2015, especially in May, have saturated the ground and created unfamiliar issues for gardeners accustomed to drought. Good drainage and careful choice of plants can keep gardens looking good in drought or downpours, both facts of life in the region.

Photo: Kathleen Scott /For the Express-News

Challenges such as fungus, weeds, bugs and saturated ground have seeped back into the landscape with the more than 20 inches of rain that have fallen here since the skies opened in 2015. And homeowners accustomed to dealing with drought are adapting to the soggier side of gardening.

Mushrooms and other forms of fungus that pop up in lawns, flower beds and vegetable gardens might not be aesthetically appealing, but it’s not a concern, said David Rodriguez, horticulturist with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension in Bexar County.

“Fungus is part of the breakdown of organic material, nothing to worry about,” he said.

Organic products such as whole ground cornmeal — also called horticultural cornmeal — and garlic spray will deter fungal bodies from forming on the ground, said Wendy Meyer, a manager of Shades of Green Nursery. The products also help preserve beneficial fungi and keep unwanted varieties in check.

Fungal diseases such as blackspot and powdery mildew attack plants and can cause leaves to drop and make plants look puny.

For blackspot on roses, Dromgoole advised first removing affected leaves from the plant and the ground around it. Mulch to keep spores from spreading and spray the plant with the baking soda solution.

Pest such as whiteflies may proliferate in mild, damp weather. The tiny insects appear as fluffy white tufts on leav edges or along soft stems. These sap-sucking insects excrete sticky honeydew and may cause leaves to yellow or die.

To help prevent an infestation, act early. Remove and bag infested leaves in the morning when the flies are sluggish. A spray of plain water from a hose can be used to dislodge adults. Or, spray with soapy water, a mix of 2 to 4 teaspoons of mild liquid dish soap to a gallon of water.

Prolonged dampness has brought dormant seeds to life, prompting residents to call the county extension office about “an explosion of weeds,” Rodriguez said. The best solution for weeds, he said, is pulling them while while they are small — before they produce more seed — then covering the ground with hardwood mulch to protect the ground and build soil. Damp ground makes pulling weeds easier.

Perhaps the biggest question on gardeners’ minds is how their yards will fare with saturated ground. Rodriguez and other experts said the first step is to turn off the automatic sprinklers. Not only is watering during a period of regular rainfall unnecessary, it can prove detrimental by decreasing oxygen to roots and draining nutrients from the soil.

Consider fertilizing plants that show yellow leaves and stunted growth because nutrients leached from the soil. Mark Fanick of Fanick’s Garden Center, suggested applying compost, which releases nutrients over time and contains bacterial agents that attack unwanted fungus.

In flower beds, remove any dirt, mulch or leaves that might be covering the crowns of plants — the junction of stems and roots. This will help to prevent disease and rot.

Desert species and other plants that don’t like wet feet might need to be moved to raised areas for drainage and mulched with rock.

Avoid walking on wet soil because it causes compaction, limiting soil aeration and making it harder for roots to penetrate.

Landscaper David Will also suggests looking for soggy ground in your garden by observing how water is moving after a rain. If water stands in a bed without draining for a day, consider digging a channel to release it, making sure not to send the water toward your house or flood a neighbor.

If you’re thinking about the future, look for plants that do well in both wet and dry conditions.